New Delhi: BJP chief Rajnath Singh insists that there is no challenge to his authority as head of the main Opposition despite L K Advani’s rath-yatra in the wake of the blasts in Varanasi.
Replying to a question on reports that, Advani convened meetings when he was out of Delhi, thus ensuring that decisions were taken without his presence, Rajnath said Advani never convened a single meeting without him.
The BJP chief said so "on oath", in an exclusive interview to Karan Thapar of CNN-IBN for the Devil's Advocate programme.
His predecessor L K Advani had surprised many in the party with the announcement of Bharat Suraksha Yatra after the Varanasi blasts.
"All my senior colleagues and other colleagues respect me. Definitely, I exercise my authority. No question about it," Singh remarked denying reports that he had been forced to participate in the yatra.
"It was not so," he said when referred to reports that there was no consultation with him before the yatra announcement.
"Fifteen days before the declaration, Advaniji discussed with me and we decided that at any time we should start our yatra. I would like to say with full conviction that Advaniji consulted with me. Consent was given by me. I did not say yes under any compulsion", Singh said.
He also denied the report that the RSS had reprimanded the party for speaking in "multiple voices", during the recent session at former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence.
"The party never speaks in multiple voices. We always take decisions on the basis of consensus. I think there is no individualism in our party. Never it was. We work with a team spirit," said Rajnath.
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